Cigar accumulator



Nov. 23, 1965 F. HOLLENTON CIGAR AGCUMULATOR '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1962 1NVENTOR FRANK HOLLENTON ATTORNEY Nov. 23, 1965 F. HOLLENTON 3,219,201

CIGAR ACCUMULATOR Filed April 12, 1962 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 FRANK HOLLENTON ATTORNEY 1965 F. HOLLENTON 3,219,201

CIGAR ACGUMULATOR Filed April 12, 1962 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3

ATTORNEY Nov. 23, 1965 F. HOLLENTON CIGAR ACCUMULATOR '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 12, 1962 INVENTO'R FRANK HOLLENTON A'I I'ORNEY Nov. 23, 1965 F. HOLLENTON CIGAR AGCUMULATOR '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 12, 1962 FRANK HOLLENTON ATTORNEY Nov. 23, 1965 F. HOLLENTON CIGAR ACCUMULATOR 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 12, 1962 FIG? INVENTOR FRANK HOLLENTON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,219,201 CIGAR ACCUMULATOR Frank Holleutou, Mountainside, N..l., assiguor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 187,023 10 Claims. (Cl. 214-6) This invention relates to an improved cigar accumulator employed as an adjunct in the machine manufacture of cigars. A cigar accumulator receives cigars from a machine which performs the final operation in the manufacture of the cigars prior to packaging. The accumulator is arranged so that it is adjustable to receive and accumulate a large number of cigars, from 500 to 1,000, for instance. Accumulation is one of the final steps to be mechanized in the full automation of cigar manufacture. In minimizing the number of manual operations required, it tends to compensate for the rising cost of tobacco and of manual cigar manufacture.

An object of the invention is an improvement in cigar accumulator mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to minimize cigar damage.

A feature of the invention is an arrangement which accumulates cigars in individual layers and deposits each layer on a vertically displaceable platform or shelf in the accumulator container." The shelf is indexed downwardly as each layer is being deposited thereon, or superposed on previously deposited layers in the container. The present accumulator includes an index guard mechanism which continues the downward movement of the platform, each time it is indexed downwardly, until the top surface of the uppermost cigar, whether at the normal level or at an abnormal level, has been lowered to a predetermined position which is the normal top level for a layer.

Another feature is an improved accumulator electrical control circuit.

Another feature of the invention is an improved arrangement for activating the vertically displaceable shelf on which the successive layers of cigars are stacked, comprising a motor driven screw which engages a nut secured to the displaceable platform, responsive to the .improved control circuit, to drive the platform in both directions.

These and other features of the invention will be made apparent in the following description when read with reference to the associated drawings which taken together disclose a preferred embodiment in which the invention is presently incorporated. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to incorporation in the present embodiment but may be incorporated in other forms, which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art by the present disclosure.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the accumulator, partly in section, with parts broken away;

FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof with parts broken away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view of a part of the upper portion of the accumulator;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken through line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged left-hand vertical elevation, partly in section;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial left-end elevation, partly in section, and with the upper portion of the accumulator omitted;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front elevation, partly in section, of the upper left-hand portion of the accumulator;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial left-hand elevation, partly 3,219,201 Patented Nov. 23,, 1965 in section, showing one of the controls for one of the micro switches; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic showing the control circuit of the accumulator.

First the operation of the cigar accumulator will be described generally before proceeding with the detailed description.

The accumulator is started in operation by the manual operation of an electric switch. This operates a motor which drives two narrow parallel endless belts, one positioned at each end of the cigar, which together coact to constitute the cigar conveyor. The conveyor transfers the cigars from the output of the final cigar manufacturing machine to a single layer forming mechanism in the cigar accumulator. The switch remains closed and the conveyor continues to run until it has delivered enough cigars to form a single layer, and then it is automatically stopped momentarily. Before a cycle of operation of the accumulator starts, a vertically displaceable platform in a container is first elevated into a position immediately below mechanism on which each single cigar layer is accumulated and temporarily supported, before it is dropped onto the vertically displaceable platform. After each layer is formed on the single layer supporting mechanism, it is dropped in turn into the accumulator container. As each layer is dropped, the displaceable shelf is indexed downwardly a distance which, in normal operation, is about equal to the diameter of the cigars which are being accumulated at the time, and which in abnormal operation is great enough to permit the upper surface of any disoriented cigar to be lowered to the normal top level of a layer in which all of the cigars are properly disposed.

The cigars transported by the conveyor belts are counted as they are delivered to the layer forming mechanism until some predetermined number, suflicient to form a layer, have been delivered, the number in a layer being adjustable. The number of cigars to be accumulated in a layer at any time is established by setting a stepping switch so that it actuates mechanism which drops each layer onto the platform when it reaches a particular terminal on its associated terminal bank, which it will reach after stepping a number of times equal to the number of cigars intended to be accumulated in each layer. The stepping switch is controlled by actuating a micro switch each time a cigar is delivered. This latter switch in turn energizes the coil of the stepper switch which rotates the switch arm so that it successively engages the switch bank terminals which are arranged in a circular row on the switch. The rotatable arm of the stepper switch is originally in engagement with a particular terminal in the home position on the switch. As each cigar closes the micro switch controlling the stepper, the rotatable contact arm is stepped successively to engage succeeding terminals, until, after a number of operations, corresponding to the number of cigars which are intended to be accumulated in each individual layer on the layer supporting mechanism, the contact arm arrives at a particular terminal on the bank of the stepper switch called hereinafter the count-out terminal. Responsive to this, several functions are performed as follows. A relay is operated. The operation of the relay closes a contact thereon which energizes a solenoid, called the row-drop solenoid, which, in turn, actuates mechanism to drop the accumulated layer onto the platform in the container of the accumulator. The opening of the layer drop mechanism, closes a switch mechanically, which operates a second relay. The second relay, in turn, closes a contact which energizes an indexing motor. The indexing motor operates mechanism which moves the vertically displaceable shelf or platform in the accumulator downwardly a distance about equal to the diameter of the cigars presently being accumulated. Simultaneously, the coil of a second stepper switch is energized. The first stepper switch, as explained, counts the number of cigars assigned to constitute a layer at a particular time. The second stepper switch counts the number of layers assigned to constitute an accumulator container load at a particular time. The energizing of the coil of the second stepper switch steps a rotatable contact on the second stepper switch from the home terminal on which it is resting at the start of operations to the next succeeding terminal, to count a single displacement downwardly of the displaceable shelf in the accumulator container. The cycles are repetitive. After the dropping of the first layer of cigars, the cigars forming a second layer are counted as they are accumulated on the layer supporting mechanism. The row-drop solenoid is again activated to drop the second layer. The indexing motor is again actuated to again lower the displaceable shelf. The coil of the second stepper switch is re-energized to step its rotatable contact to the next succeeding terminal on its bank to keep count of the number of layers which have been deposited in the accumulator container. The cycles continue until a predetermined number of layers have been accumulated on the layer supporting mechanism and dropped into the accumulator container. The number of layers in a container load is adjustable. When the rotatable contact of the second stepper switch engages a bank terminal whose numbered position in the row corresponds to the number of layers which are to constitute the container load at the time, several operations are performed as follows. The winding of the second relay is again energized. This again actuates the contact which operates the index motor downwardly to the extreme downward position. After the platform attains this position, a mechanically operated ejector mechanism responsively ejects the load, and is returned to its normal position. Upon reaching this position, it closes a contact which energizes the index motor in a direction to raise the vertically displaceable platform into position for the start of a new container loading cycle. The first stepping switch is restored to its home position after it has completed the counting of the number of cigars in a layer and the second switch is restored after it has counted the number of layers in an accumulator load.

Refer now to FIG. 9 which shows the control circuit of the accumulator.

Preliminarily, certain symbols appearing on FIG. 9 will be explained. The rectangular figures CR1 and CR2 each represent the magnetizable core and winding of an individual relay. The relays are equipped with certain contacts which are normally open and others which are normally closed. Nonmally open contacts are shown as short spaced parallel vertical lines. Normally closed contacts are shown as short spaced parallel vertical lines intersected by a third line at an angle of about fortyfive degrees. Physically, the contacts of these relays are closely adjacent their respective magnetizable cores and windings but, for clarity, as an aid in understanding the operation of the circuit of FIG. 9, the contacts are shown separated therefrom. For identification of the individual relay of which it forms a part, each contact bears the same designation as that of the magnet and winding, and an added symbol such as A, B, C, etc., to designate the individual contact. The two major components of stepper switches 1 and 2 are similarly separated on the drawing of FIG. 9. The coils are designated STCl and STC2, for steppers 1 and 2, respectively, and their switch banks and rotatable switch arms are designated STP1 and STPZ for switches 1 and 2, respectively.

The operation of the control circuit of the accumulator will now be described with reference to FIG. 9.

First, however, the operation of the five micro switches, LS1, LS2, LS3, LS4 and LS5, shown in FIG. 9, will be explained. The normal condition for each of these switches and the time and manner of its operation and restoration are shown in the following tabulation:

Switch Normal When and How Operated When and How Restored Condition to Normal LS1 Open. When row drop solenoid When rails are starting is energized and layer to reelose, rail disenforming rails are fully gages from switch separated, switch is LS1 and it reopens. closed by engagement with a rail.

LS2 Closed When accumulator con- When platform is raised tainer platform is in from extreme low extreme depressed position, switch is position, switch is reclosed. opened.

LS3 Opcn After ejection of load is When platform reaches completed, it is closed uppermost position, by ejector mechanism. it is opened by pin on platform.

LS4 Open As each cigar is pushed When each cigar passes,

onto layer platform, switch actuator reswitch is closed by enstores to normal by gagement of cigar with gravity, reopening switch. switch.

LS5 Closed. When the platform is in- When tamper is redexed down to the stored to normal position wherein the upper position, topmost Surface of any switch is reclosed. cigar thereon is in the horizontal plane for a layer in normal position, rod on tamper unit opens switch.

Refer now to FIG. 9.

When the circuit is to be operated, a connecting plug P is inserted into a main receptacle of a power source PWS. This impresses alternating current potential across a plurality of parallel circuit branches connected between terminals L1 and L2 and across the input terminals REC3 and REC4 of a full wave rectifier FWR the output of which impresses direct current potential on output terminals RECl and REC2 of the rectifier. Terminals RECI and REC2 are connected also across a plurality of parallel circuit branches. These parallel branches connected between terminals L1 and L2 and between terminals RECl and REC2 will be traced in detail hereinafter.

In order to start operation, the toggle switch TS is closed and remains closed thereafter until the machine is to be shut down. Closing the switch establishes a circuit from terminal L1 through normally closed contact CRIA of relay CR1, toggle switch TS, and the conveyor motor CMR to terminal L2, operating the conveyor motor CMR.

In response to the operation of the conveyor motor CMR, cigars are delivered, in a manner to be described, to a position wherein each cigar closes the cigar sensing switch LS4 momentarily as the cigar is received at a position near the entrance to the accumulator layer supporting mechanism. Switch LS4 reopens after the cigar is pushed onto the layer supporting mechanism in a manner to be described. The operation of switch LS4 establishes a circuit from rectifier terminal RECI through the cigar delivery sensing switch LS4 to three circuit branches one of which is a branch arranged in shunt to switch LS4 and the two other branches are in series with switch LS4 and in parallel one with the other. The shunt branch, which extends through contacts ARlB, ARlA and CRlE, comprises a vibrator circuit for restoring the rotatable arm RAl of stepper STP1 to the home positionv after it has reached the final cigar counting position for a layer. This branch will be described hereinafter.

To d1gress momentarily, the final counting position on a switch, corresponding to the number of cigars in a layer, as counted by the first stepper STP1, or corresponding to the number of layers in a load, as counted by the second stepper STPZ, is, as'mentioned, the count-out posit on. On stepper switches 1 and 2, the count-out terminals are terminals C001 and COC2, respectively.

These, it may be observed, are the only terminals to which an output conductor is connected. It is to be understood that the output conductor may be connected to any terminal on either switch, to predetermine the number of cigars in a layer, and the number of layers in a load.

To return to the detailed description of the circuit of FIG. 9, the second branch circuit established by the closing of cigar sensing switch LS4 extends through the coil STC1 to rectifier terminal REC2, energizing the coil and causing the rotatable arm RA1 to step from the home position terminal HP1 to the first counting terminal CPI. The third branch extends through normally closed contact CRIC on relay CR1 and totalizer TZR to rectifier terminal REC2 actuating totalizer TZR to count the delivered cigar. The function of totalizer TZR is to count the cigars which are delivered to the accumulator in any predetermined period, such as in an hour or in a day.

There are three counting devices in the circuit. The first is the stepping switch STPI, which counts the number of cigars in a layer. The second is the stepping switch STP2 which counts the number of layers in an accumulator load. The third counter is the totalizer TZR which, as mentioned in the foregoing, counts the total number of individual cigars which are processed in any predetermined interval.

The stepping action continues, and the cigar delivery sensing switch LS4 is closed once for each cigar delivered to any layer. When the number of cigars in a layer has reached a predetermined number for which stepping switch STPI is set, the rotatable arm RA1 of stepper STPI engages its count-out terminal COCI to which a conductor is connected at the time. This establishes a circuit from rectifier terminal REC1 through the rotatable arm RA1 of stepper STPI, count-out contact COCI and the output conductor connected thereto to branch circuits. One branch extends through coil STCZ of stepper switch STPZ to rectifier terminal REC2 energizing stepper coil STC2 and stepping its arm RAZ off its home terminal HP2 to the first counting terminal CP2. A second branch extends through the winding of relay CRI to rectifier terminal REC2 energizing relay CRI. The energization of relay CR1 opens normally closed contact CR1A,|in series with closed toggle switch TS and the conveyor motor CMR, stopping motor CMR momentarily while an accumulated layer is dropped into the container. The energization of relay CR1 closes normally open contact CRID in series with the row-drop solenoid RDS which operates mechanism which separates elements of the layer supporting mechanism to permit the accumulated layer to drop into the container. The energizing of relay CR1 also closes a normally open contact CRIB of relay CR1 in series With the normally closed index sensing switch LS5. To anticipate, the purpose of closing contact CRIB is to establish a parallel circuit for maintaining relay CR1 energized during the interval while the rotatable arm of stepper STPI is being moved, under control of the vibrator circuit, in a manner to be explained, from the count-out terminal COCI to the home position terminal HP1, and to maintain relay CR1 operated until the down indexing is completed. In order to restore arm RA1 to the home position, terminal HP1, it is necessary to maintain relay CR1 operated in order to keep normally open contact CRIE in the vibrator circuit closed. It is also necessary to maintain normally open contact CRID closed, to maintain the row-drop solenoid RDS operated and thereby to maintain the layer drop solenoid jaw controls separated until the index motor has indexed the platform down sufficiently to permit the rowdrop solenoid to be de-energized and the row-drop solenoid jaw controls to resume their normally closed position, without damage to the cigars which are being indexed downwardly. The circuit, which maintains relay CR1 operated, may be traced from rectifier contact REC1 through the now closed contact CRIB, index sensing switch LS5 and the winding of relay CR1 to rectifier contact REC2. Normally closed index sensing switch LS5 is opened mechanically, in a manner to be described, each time a layer of cigars is dropped into the container after the top surface of the uppermost cigar has reached the normal level for a layer in the container. The opening of switch LS5 is under control of a sensing mechanism which cannot open switch LS5 until the sensing mechanism has been lowered to its lowest possible position. Cigars in position above their normal level in a layer delay the opening of the switch and the stopping of the downward movement of the platform.

The closing of contact CRID establishes a circuit from terminal LI through contact CRID and the winding of the row-drop solenoid RDS to terminal L2 energizing the row-drop solenoid. The row-drop solenoid RDS operates mechanism, to be described hereinafter, which permits an accumulated layer to drop into the accumulator container.

Attention is now directed to the circuit which restores switch arm RA1 to normal. It comprises contacts ARIB, ARIA, CRIE and the coil STC1 of stepper I, interconnected between rectifier contacts REC1 and REC2. Contact ARIB is a vibrating contact. It is normally closed. It is opened, however, once for each time the arm RA1 of stepper 1 is stepped from any terminal on its bank to an adjacent terminal during the interval while the arm is stepping. Contact ARIA is open only when the rotatable arm of stepper I is in engagement with its home position terminal HP1. It is closed whenever the rotatable arm steps off this terminal and remains closed thereafter throughout the off-normal interval, and until the rotatable arm returns to the home position. Normally open contact CRIE is closed whenever relay CR1 is energized. Under the present condition, in which the arm RAI of stepper 1 is assumed to be on the count-out terminal COCI, relay CR1 is operated and contact CRlE is therefore closed. Contact ARIA is closed, because arm RA1 is otf normal. Contact ARIB is closed while arm RA1 engages a contact on its bank. This closes the circuit from terminal REC1 through contact ARIB, contact ARIA, contact CRIB and coil STC1 of stepper STPI to terminal REC2 energizing the coil and rotating arm RA1 to the next succeeding terminal. In the process, vibrating contact ARIB is opened. However, as soon as arm RA1 engages the next succeeding terminal, the cycle is repeated. The operation continues until arm RA1 reaches the home position. Then contact ARIA opens and the arm remains in the home position until a new layer of cigars is to be counted.

Each time the layer dropping mechanism reaches its extreme open position to drop a layer into the accumulator container, in a manner to be described, switch LS1 is closed. This establishes a circuit from conductor L1 through closed switch LS1 and the winding of relay CR2 to conductor L2 energizing relay CR2 and closing contact CRZA. This establishes a circuit from terminal L1 through contact CR2A, terminal DOWN and index motor IMR to terminal L2. This actuates the index motor IMR in a sense to move the accumulator container platform downwardly. When the index motor has actuated the platform downwardly through a sufiicient distance to accommodate the particular layer, index sensing switch LS5 will be opened mechanically, in a manner to be described, in turn, releasing relay CR1 which opens contact CRID to permit de-energizing the row-drop solenoid RDS to permit the row-drop mechanism to restore to normal which, in turn, permits switch LS1 to reopen. The restoration of the row-drop solenoid to normal also restores the sensing or tamping mechanism to normal and permits switch LS5 to restore to its normal closed position.

Attention is directed at this point to what is considered one of the most important features of the invention. The layer drop mechanism comprises two opposed spaced angle irons, running longitudinally of the accumulator, on which the opposed ends of the cigars rest transversely. In the operation of the mechanism which control-s the dropping of an accumulated layer of cigars, these angle irons on which the cigars are supported are opened wider by the row-drop solenoid RDS to permit the layer to drop. During the process of opening the angle irons, switch LS1, as explained, is closed mechanically energizing relay CR2. This, as has also been explained, closes contact CRZA and energizes the circuit which activates index motor IMR downwardly. As the layer of cigars moves downwardly, the uppermost element in the layer is followed by a sensing mechanism. The sensing mechanism, in turn, controls normally closed switch LS which, with now closed contact CRIB, is maintaining relay CR1 operated. The sensing mecha nism does not permit switch LS5 to open, to stop the downward indexing, until the upper surface of the topmost element has reached the normal top level of a layer. This arrangement prevents the damaging of cigars if, due to malfunction, the cigars in any layer are disoriented so that one or more lie in a position above the normal horizontal plane in which the upper surface of all cigars should lie. The sensing mechanism which controls this function is also called the tamper or level feeling unit. The tamper or sensing unit does not exercise any tamping function, that is to say, it does not tamp down any misaligned cigars. The sensing or tamping unit follows the cigars downwardly while just barely touching the topmost surface of the topmost cigar in any layer. As a result of this, in the event that any cigar or cigars project above the normal horizontal level in a layer while the layer is being deposited in the accumulator, the tamper will be controlled by the upper surface of the topmost cigar. It will follow the topmost surface of the top cigar in a layer downwardly until the upper plane of the topmost surface of the cigar reaches what would ordinarily be the normal horizontal level. During this interval, while the tamper is moving downwardly, index motor IMR will continue to drive the platform downwardly. This motion will continue until the tamper reaches its normal lower position. As a result of this, it is not possible for the tamper to crush any misaligned cigars. In short, when there is misalignment of cigars, so that one or more of the cigars in a layer project above the normal horizontal plane, the downward orienting motor will be actuated for a longer period and until the topmost horizontal surface of any cigar in the layer, misaligned or otherwise, reaches the normal plane for a deposited layer.

To return to the detailed description of the operation of the control circuit of FIG. 9, the cycle of operation described in the foregoing is repeated for each layer. In response to the accumulation of each layer, the rotatable arm RA2 of stepper 2 will be stepped to the next succeeding terminal on its bank until it engages the count-out contact COC2 thereon, which is connected through the normally closed lower limit switch LS2 to the junction between the right-hand terminal of switch LS1 and the left-hand terminal of the winding of relay CR2 from where it extends through the Winding of relay CR2 to terminal L2. A circuit is then established from conductor L1 through arm RA2, terminal COC2, switch LS2 and the winding of relay CR2 to conductor L2 energizing relay CR2. This again closes normally open contact CR2A. This, in turn, again establishes a circuit from conductor L1 through closed contact CR2A, terminal DOWN of index motor IMR and through the motor to conductor L2 actuating the index motor downwardly. The index motor now again moves the platform downwardly. This movement will continue until the plat form reaches its lowermost position at which time the lower limit switch LS2 is. opened mechanically releasing relay CR2. The release of relay CR2, in turn, opens contact CRZA and the path through the down circuit of the index motor stopping the downward movement of the motor.

When the platform has been indexed to its lowermost position, the ejector mechanism in the accumulator is operated by mechanical means, to be described hereinafter, to eject the load. After the load has been ejected, the ejector mechanism is again actuated mechanically to its home position. In this position, the ejector mechanism closes switch LS3. The closing of switch LS3 establishes a circuit from conductor L1 through switch LS3, through terminal UP of the index motor IMR and through the motor to conductor L2. This operates the index motor in a sense to move the accumulator platform upwardly. This upward movement permits switch LS2 to reclose. The upward movement will continue until the platform attains its uppermost position. When this position is attained, switch LS3 will be reopened mechanically by the upward movement of the platform, in a manner to be described hereinafter, stopping motor IMR. The rotatable arm RA2 of stepper switch STP2 is restored to the home position mechanically by spring action, when a reset coil forming part of the switch releases ratchet pawls thereon, as well understood in the art. The restoration of arm RA2 of switch 2 differs in this respect from the restoration of arm RA1 on switch 1.

Refer now to FIGS. 1 through 8. The accumulator mechanism is mounted on an integral frame which, as seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, comprises a generally rectangular larger rear section 10 and a shorter front section 12, on which the accumulator transfer tray or tote box 14 is supported. The two vertical side assemblies of the frame are joined by lateral spacers 24 and 26 and surmounted by a conveyor frame structure 28. Secured to the lower left rear portion of the frame by means of a bracket 30 is a conveyor motor 32 and secured to the lower right front portion of the frame, by means of a bracket 34, is the indexing motor 36. The conveyor motor 32 has an axial shaft 38 to which is secured the conveyor drive sprocket 40. Rotatably mounted in hearings in the conveyor frame structure 28 are two shafts, the conveyor belt drive shaft 42, and the conveyor belt driven shaft 44. Secured to shaft 42 is procket 46, which is connected to sprocket 40 by chain drive 41. Secured to shaft 42 also are two spaced conveyor belt drive sprockets and 52. Secured to shaft 44 are the conveyor belt driven sprockets 54 and 56. Cigar conveyor chains 58 and interconnect sprocket 50 to sprocket 54 and sprocket 52 to sprocket 56, respectively. As conveyor motor 32 rotates shaft 38, sprocket 40 rotates driving chain 41 rotating sprocket 46, shaft 42 and sprockets 50 and 52. Sprockets 50 and 52, in turn, drive chains 58 and 60 which rotate about idler sprockets 54 and 56.

The accumulator frame is located in close proximity with an automatic cigar manufacturing machine which performs the last operation in the manufacture of the cigar per se. Upon completion of each cigar, it is delivered individually to the hopper 72 and raised by the vertically reciprocable finger 74 to a position from which it rolls into a depression between pairs of laterally opposed successive projections 76 on the cigar conveyor belts 58 and 60. The individual cigar hopper 72 and the finger 74 are part of the other cigar manufacturing machine. The belts are driven at such speed that they can receive cigars at twice the speed at which they are delivered by finger 74. That is to say, two depressed spaces, such as 80, on each belt 58 and 60 are driven into registry with the cigar delivery finger 72, in its elevated position, at the input to the accumulator, each time finger 74 is actuated. The operation of the accumulator is thus independent of the operation of the cigar machine, but can accommodate all of the cigars manufactured by it.

Secured to the shaft 42 also is a circular actuator cam disc 82. The cam has a number of projections on 30 degree radial spacings throughout the circle. The cam 82 is so arranged with respect to the cigar receptacles formed by the depressions 80 and the projections 76 on the cigar conveyor that the cam 82 actuates a cigar pusher 9. 112 through a linkage in synchronism with the cigar conveyor. Two cigar pusher elements and 92 are actuated so that, if there is a cigar in the depressions 80, it will be moved onto the two angle irons 94, 96 which form the temporary shelf of the layer forming mechanism on which each layer is formed before it is dropped into the accumulator container. The manner in which this is performed will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Rotatably pivoted at 97 to a bracket 98 on the frame is an actuator lever 100, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper portion of lever 100 carries a cam roller 102 which is biased by a spring 104 into engagement with each opposed tooth on cam 82 as the cam tooth is rotated into position, The lower end of actuator lever 100 has an elongated slot. An adjustable stud 106 projecting through the slot and carried by one end of connecting rod 108 pivotally secures said rod to the actuator lever. Connecting rod 108 loosely projects through bracket 120, formed in the frame superstructure and is connected by means of pin 110 and connecting block 111 to actuator shaft 112. Shaft 112 projects through two bearings 122 and 124 in the frame superstructure and connects at its left-hand end as seen in FIG. 2 by means of connecting block 114 and shaft 116. Secured to shaft 116 are the two cigar pushers 90 and 92. The rocking of the actuator lever reciprocates longitudinal connector rods 108 and 112 which, in turn, reciprocate transverse shaft 116 carrying the cigar pushers 90 and 92.

The cigars deposited in the depressions 80 are carried from the right-hand end of the conveyor to the left-hand end as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Underlying the upper run of conveyor belts 58 and 60 is a belt support plate which is secured by means of screws, such as 132, to brackets, such as 134, which project upwardly from shaft 148. The right-hand and lefthand ends of the belt support plate as seen in FIG. 1 are inclined downwardly to afford clearance between the support plate and the belts at the ends of the plate.

The front portion of the cigar conveyor, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, to the left of the center, is provided with a cigar guide assembly. As seen in FIG, 1, the front assembly comprises a vertical plate having a circular portion to the left which tends to confine the front end of the cigar on the belt as the cigar is conveyed around the left-hand sprockets 54 and 56 by the belts 58 and 60. Near its right-hand end the cigar plate, as seen in FIG. 2, is bent slightly away from the belt 60. This permits cigars moving along the conveyor which are displaced toward the front from a normal centralized position on the belt to be gently aligned properly, as the cigar engages the right-hand portion of the front cigar guide plate while the upper run of the belt carrying the cigars moves toward the left. The plate 140 is provided with a spring clip 144 by means of which it is secured in position by clipping to the row dropper support bracket 295, which is mounted on shafts 44, 148, and 152. The guide plate 140 is cut out at 154 and 156 to be received over shafts 44 and 148, respectively. Another vertical cigar guide plate 160 is mounted to the rear of belt 158, as seen in FIG. 2. The left-hand end of this plate is annular, conforming generally to the shape assumed by the belt 58, as it passes around sprocket 54. The rear plate differs from the front cigar guide plate in that it runs substantially the full length of the conveyor belt. Spot welded to the rear cigar guide plate are three small angle iron brackets, such as bracket 170, FIG. 4, by means of which the rear cigar guide plate is secured to the conveyor belt support plate 130.

Reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 shows another cigar guide mechanism which prevents the escape of the cigars from the depressions 80 in the conveyor belts 58 and 60 as the belts pass around sprockets 54 and 56. A bent rod has a horizontal portion connected to two downwardly directed crescent shaped legs 182 and 184 which are slightly spaced from and conform to the outer peripheries of the belts 58 and 60 as they rotate about sprockets 54 and 56 to coact in retaining the cigars in the depressions 80. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, the arcuate legs 182 and 184 are welded near their lower extremities to arcuate bars 186 and 188. The bars 186 and 188 are provided with interiorly threaded cups such as 190 which receive the right-hand ends of threaded rods such as 192. The rods pass through an elongated vertical aperture in each of bifurcated arms 194 and 196 of an arcuate bracket 198, which is pivoted by stud 200 to bracket 202, which, in turn, is secured to the superstructure of the frame by screws such as 203. The rods 192 are secured to the opposite faces of the two upper arms of bracket 198 by opposed nuts such as 204 and 206. The nuts may be loosened and retightened, while adjusting the position of element 182 and 184 with respect to the belts 58 and 60 for cigars of differing diameters, while the cigar guard assembly is rotated in a limited are about shaft 200.

As best seen in FIG. 5, a bracket 220 is secured to the upper superstructure. As seen in FIG. 1, secured to the bracket 220 is the cigar sensing or counting micro switch LS4 which is identical with the switch so designated in FIG. 9. Pivoted to the bracket also is an actuator 224 for switch LS4. As each cigar is propelled laterally by pushers 90 and 92 past actuator 224 and onto the angle iron layer supports 228 and 230, a short rod 226 project ing from the actuator engages switch element 232 closing normally open switch LS4. After the cigar clears the actuator 224, the actuator is restored to its normal position by gravity, reopening switch LS4. When switch LS4 has been operated a number of times corresponding to the number of cigars in a layer, as explained with reference to the circuit of FIG. 9, the row-drop solenoid RDS, shown in the upper portion of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 and in FIG. 2 is operated. The row-drop solenoid RDS actuates its plunger 240 horizontally. The plunger engages with the lower end of solenoid actuator lever 242. The lever is secured to shaft 150 and its upper arm is biased by spring 244, so that it tends to rotate clockwise as seen in FIG. 1. When the row-drop solenoid RDS is energized, the actuator arm 242 is actuated in a counterclockwise direction, rotating row-drop actuator shaft 150 counter-clockwise as seen in FIG. 1. Secured to the rowdrop actuator shaft 150, as seen in FIG. 2, are a pair of row-drop levers 252 and 254, which are rotated counter-clockwise with shaft 150 and attached to the free ends of which are row-drop rods 256 and 258, respectively, which are depressed when levers 252 and 254 are thus rotated. As seen in FIG. 4, the row-drop rods are secured at their lower ends to shafts 257 and 259, respectively, which are connected, by rocker arms 260 and 262 to shafts 264 and 266, respectively and about which they are rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise, respectively. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, shafts 264 and 266 are rotatable in limited arcs in bearings such as 290 and 291 in row-drop support brackets 295 and 296, which are secured in the frame superstructure. The upper ends of support swing arms 268 and 269 are integrally connected to shaft 264 and their lower ends are connected to angle iron 228. This structure is actuated clockwise as shaft 264 is rotated clockwise. Row support arm 270, and another corre sponding to arm 269, interconnect shaft 266 to angle iron 230. Shaft 266 is mounted in bearings in the rear row-drop support bracket 296 which, in turn, is secured to the frame superstructure. As shaft 266 is rotated counter-clockwise, angle iron 230 is also actuated counterclockwise, separating it from angle iron 228 and permitting the accumulated layer to drop.

Two legs 297 and 298 depend from the front row-drop support bracket 295. An angle iron 310, FIG. 4, is secured to these legs by screws 300 and 301, FIG. 1. Corresponding structure, such as leg 301, screw 302, and angle iron 312 is provided at the rear. These angle irons 310 and 312 are fixed in position and the vertical face of each angle iron is disposed so that it prevents or tends to limit, lateral displacement of the cigars when angle irons 228 and 230 are swung apart to permit them to drop.

When angle iron 228 reaches its extreme open position, FIG. 4, it closes normally open micro switch LS1. This, as explained, operates relay CR2, FIG. 9, closing contact CRZA and operates the indexing motor IMR downwardly.

Shaft 152, FIGS. 2 and 3, is secured in a bearing in each of the front and rear row-drop support brackets 295 and 296. A pivot bracket 350 is fastened to shaft 152. Integral with the upper portion of bracket 350 is a hearing 352, and integral with its lower portion is another bearing 353. Mounted in bearing 352 is a short shaft 354 on which is rotatably mounted the upper lift link of the sensing or tamping assembly, which comprises two bent arms 356 and 358 joined by a web 355, shown partly broken away in FIG. 2. The left-hand bifurcated end of the upper link, terminates in two spaced bearings 361 and 363, in which is secured a rod 361 on which is mounted a roller 364 between bearings 361 and 363. Rod 360 actuates the arm 362 of normally closed switch LS5 when the tamper or senser mechanism reaches its lowest possible position, in a manner to be explained, opening switch LS5. The roller 364 coacts with a tamper mechanism lift lever 365, in a manner also to be explained. Rotatably mounted on shaft 371 in the lower bearing 353 of pivot bracket 350, is the lower lift link of the sensing or tamping assembly, which corresponds generally to the upper lift link except that its free end terminates in a single hearing which is rotatably connected by means of stud 371 to lower bearing 353 of pivot bracket 350. Mounted on studs 360 and 369 at the left-hand ends of the upper and lower lift links, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, is the cigar leveler assembly 375.

This comprises a generally vertical U-shaped bracket welded to the bottom of which is the cigar leveler 377, FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, which is a horizontal plate having short downwardly bent sides 379 and 381 which overlie the cigars as they are formed into a layer. As seen in FIG. 3, when the row-drop solenoid is energized, as its plunger 240 is actuated to the left, arm 242 and shaft 150 are rotated clockwise, tamper lift arm 365, which is secured to shaft 150, is also rotated clockwise. Its right-hand end 385, in FIG. 3, which underlies roller 364, and supports the entire tamper assembly, is lowered, permitting the tamper assembly to drop, and follow the cigars downwardly. The lower edges of the bent sides 379 and 381 of plate 377, FIG. 4, follow the dropped layer of cigars downward.

The opening of switch LS5 by rod 360, as the tamper moves to its downward limit, releases relay CR1, FIG. 9, as explained, de-energizing row-drop solenoid RDS, which permits angle irons 228 and 229 to restore to their normally closed position. This, in turn, permits switch LS1 to restore to its normally open position releasing relay CR2 opening contact CR2A and stopping the downward action of index motor IMR. It is emphasized that switch LS5 will not be opened by rod 360 until the bottom edges of bent sides 379 and 381 reach the normal position for the upper level of a normal layer of cigars. Thus downward indexing will continue until all cigars are in position below the normal horizontal plane for a properly disposed layer.

When the index motor IMR, FIGS. 1 and 5, is operated index motor drive sprocket 400, drives chain 402, which rotates driven sprocket 404, which in turn drives shaft 406. A pair of bevel gears, such as 408, are secured to each end of rotatable shaft 466. Each gear 408 meshes with another bevel gear, such as 410. Each gear such as 410 is secured at its lower end to a threaded vertical shaft such as 412. Each vertical shaft 412 is secured in bearings such as 413 at its upper end and 414 at its lower end which bearings are integral with frame 10. A vertically displaceable plate 420 is secured at each of its ends to internally threadedmembers 422 and 424 which engage 12 with the threaded vertical shafts 412. Affixed to plate 420 by angles 426 and 428 is the platform 380. As the index motor is rotated in one sense, platform 380 is displaced downwardly and as the motor is rotated in the opposite sense platform 380 is indexed upwardly.

As explained with reference to FIG. 9, the layers of cigars are formed successively, and as each layer is completed it is dropped onto the shelf of the accumulator in a manner which should be understood from the foregoing. When the number of layers which is to constitute a load at the time has been accumulated on the platform, arm RAZ, as explained, will engage contact COCZ actuating relay CR2. This closes contact CRZA and drives the platform 330 and its supporting structure by means of index motor IMR down to its lowermost position. When this position is reached, projection 441), FIGS. 5 and 6, engages switch actuating element 442 of normally closed micro switch LS2 opening it, and detent arm 444 is engaged by rod 446. Both elements 440 and 446 are carried by internally threaded element 422. When switch LS2 is opened, relay CR2, FIG. 9, releases, opening contact CRZA de-energiZing the down driving circuit of index motor IMR and stopping the downward motion of platform 380.

Mounted on shaft 38, FIG. 1, of the conveyor motor CMR is a cam 451). A generally V-shaped cam arm 452, having a horizontal projection at its left-hand end, as seen in FIG. 1, is secured by means of a stud 456 to a bearing 458 formed in cross bar 24. Rotatably secured to cam arm 452, at the apex of the V, is a cam follower 460 which engages with cam 450. The left-hand horizontal end 462 of cam lever 452, as seen best in FIGS. 5 and 6, is normally locked in its upper position, which prevents follower 460 from following the motion of cam 450, by means of a projection 459 on a latch 461 which is pivoted at 465 to the frame 10. Detent 444 is rotatably secured to latch 461 by a stud 503. The detent is normally biased counter-clockwise by spring 507 which is tensioned between projections 504 on detent 444 and projection 506 on latch 461. The latch is normally biased in a clockwise direction by leaf spring 511 which is attached to the bottom of latch 461 and the upper portion of which is constrained between pins 513 and 503. When rod 446 engages with detent 444, the face 490 of the detent engages frame projection 491 and latch arm 461 is rotated about pivot 465 releasing the horizontal projection 462 of cam 452 and cam 452 follows the periphery of cam 450 downwardly, imparting a downward motion to connecting rod 467 which is connected at its lower end to projection 462 by means of a stud 493. The upper end of connecting rod 467 is connected by means of a bolt 495 to arm 469 through an elongated slot 497 in arm 469. The lefthand end of arm 469 is secured to shaft 471 which extends from one side to the other of the frame and which is rotatably mounted in bearings in brackets, such as 473, one on each side of the frame. On shaft 471 there is mounted a stationary sprocket 475 which is fixed to bracket 473 by three screws such as 560. Sprockets 475 is connected by means of a fixed chain 477 to a sprocket 479 which is secured to a rotatable shaft 481 which extends across the rear of the frame, as seen in FIG. 1. Arm 469 is biased in a clockwise direction by spring 500 which is tensioned between the free end of arm 469 and a projection 501 on the frame. This tends to rotate the ejector actuating mechanism but is prevented from doing so until the platform is in its lowermost position and latch 461 releases the cam arm.

.As seen in FIG. 1, secured to shaft 471, by hubs 521 and 522 and set screws 561 and 562, are two upper ejector arms 523 and 524, respectively. The upper end of each of these arms is equipped with a roller, such as 527, which rolls in an individual vertical guideway of Z-shaped cross section, welded to the upper right-hand and left-hand back surface of the plate of theejector assembly 525 as 13 seen in FIGS. 1 and 6. Connected to the bottom of the back surface of the ejector assembly by means of two hinges 529 and 531 are two lower ejector arms 533 and 535. As seen in FIG. 1, the four arms 523, 524, 533 and 535 are provided at their middle portions with an individual hub 536, 537, 538 and 539, respectively, by means of which each of the four arms is mounted on shaft 481. The hubs 538 and 539 of lower ejector arms 533 and 535, as seen in FIG. 1, are each locked to shaft 481 by set screws 541 and 543, respectively, while the two upper ejector arms are mounted freely on shaft 481. The free end of the upper extension of each of the lower ejector arms 533 and 535 is equipped with an ejector stop button such as 550 against which the upper end of the ejector assembly bears when the plate is in the retracted position.

FIG. 5 shows the ejector assembly 525 at the start and finish of the ejector operation and FIG. 6 shows the ejector operation at a mid-point in the ejection of an accumulated cigar load.

When the platform 380 is indexed down to its bottom position and latch 461 unlocks cam lever 452 permitting its follower 460 to follow the cam 450 downwardly, rod 467, cam lever projection 462 and connecting rod 467 will be lowered, and as spring 500 rotates arm 469, shaft 471 will be rotated clockwise, as seen in FIG. 6, in turn rotating upper ejector arms 523 and 524 clockwise, so that the two rollers, such as 527 mounted on the upper ends of these rods urge the ejector plate assembly 525 toward the right as seen in FIG. 6. As arm 523 and 524 are rotated, shaft 481 is rotated about shaft 471 as a center. Lower ejector arms 533 and 535 secured to shaft 481 thrust against hinges 529 and 531. As shaft 481 is rotated about shaft 471 as a center, sprocket 479 is rotated about shaft 481 by means of fixed chain 477. The amount of this rotation is dependent on the design of sprocket 479. This is such that the axis of the rollers such as 527 and of the hinges, such as 529, are displaced equally horizontally as the ejector assembly is actuated in each direction.

The forward motion of the ejector assembly continues until the load of cigars is inserted in the demountable container 14. Cam 450 continues in its rotation. As cam follower 460 is raised, projection 462 and arm 467 are raised, actuating arm 469, shaft 471 and ejector arms 523 and 524 counter-clockwise. Shaft 481 is actuated in a counter-clockwise direction about shaft 471 as a center, and simultaneously is rotated clockwise about its longitudinal axis by engagement of its sprocket 479 with fixed chain 477 to maintain the proper rearward motion of ejector assembly 525.

When cam lever 452 is restored to its starting position by cam 450, the ejector assembly will have been withdrawn to its maximum left-hand position, as seen in FIG. 8. When the ejector reaches this position, a projection 573 on the ejector assembly engages switch actuating element 575 of switch LS3 closing the switch. This, as explained with reference to FIG. 9, establishes a circuit which energizes index motor IMR and actuates internally threaded assembly 422 upward, carrying platform 380. When rod 446 on assembly 422 has been raised sufficiently to disengage from detent 444, the detent is restored to its original position by spring 507 and the shoulder 459 of latch 461 is urged under the bottom of projection 462 by spring 511 and the eject-or mechanism is again in its normal idle position.

The platform continues to be driven upwardly by the index motor IMR until it attains its topmost position. In this position, switch LS3 is reopened as rod 577, carried by platform lifting assembly 422, engages bent arm 579. The upper rear portion of the frame, as shown in FIG. 8, has secured thereto a bracket 581. Connected to bracket 581 by means of a pin 582 is a relay mounting 583 to which micro switch LS3 is affixed. Plate 579 at its upper end is rigidly secured to relay mounting 583. When plate 579 is rotated by engagement with rod 577, relay mounting 583 is rotated clockwise, in a limited are, about pin 582. This disengages the switch actuating mechanism from projection 572 permitting switch LS3 to reopen to start a new cycle of operation of the cigar accumulator machine.

In connection with the description of the operation of the circuit of FIG. 9, it was stated that the number of cigars in a row could be variable. In order to accommodate cigar rows of differing overall lengths, certain of the parts of the accumulator mechanism are made adjustable. The load platform 380 is arranged so that it may be extended to the right as seen in FIG. 1. In order to permit this, the platform is formed of two generally flat plates, one of the plates being bent completely backward on itself to form a groove in which an extension plate is slidably mounted. The ejector assembly is also arranged so that it may be expanded and contracted laterally to correspond.

What is claimed is:

1. A cigar accumulator having a receiving platform therein, means in said accumulator for accumulating a layer of cigars, said layer consisting of a predetermined number of said cigars, means for counting said cigars as they are accumulated in said layer, means responsive to the counting of said predetermined number for depositing said layer on said platform and means responsive to said depositing for indexing said platform downwardly through any distance necessary to accommodate any cigar projecting above said layer.

2. An accumulator having a container, a shelf in said container, means for amassing a load on said shelf, said means comprising electrical counting switches for controlling the depositing of any predetermined number of layers of articles on said shelf, to constitute a load at different times, an ejecting station in said accumulator, a load ejector at said station, means responsive to the amassing of said load for lowering said shelf to some predetermined position above said station, dependent upon the number of layers required to be counted to constitute a load at a particular time, means responsive to the lowering of said load to said position for lowering it further to said station, means responsive to the lowering of said shelf to said station for actuating said ejector to eject said load and means responsive to the restoration of said ejector to its normal inactivated position for restoring said shelf to its normal inactivated position.

3. A cigar accumulator having means for forming a plurality of cigars into a single layer, first electrical switch means therein for counting cigars incoming to the layer forming means, means on said first switch for predetermining the number of cigars formed into a single layer, means connected to said first switch responsive to the counting by said switch of the predetermined number of cigars in a layer for stopping the delivery of cigars to said layer, a second switch for counting a predetermined number of layers to form an accumulator load, and other means connected to said first switch responsive to the accumulation of a layer for actuating said second switch to count each layer until said load is formed.

4. A cigar accumulator having means for accumulating a load, said load consisting of a plurality of layers of cigars, a first counting switch for counting the number of cigars assigned to each layer, and a layer dropping solenoid, means connected to said first switch, incident to the reception of the assigned number of cigars in a layer, for actuating said solenoid to drop said layer into said accumulating means, a second counting switch, means responsive to said dropping for actuating said second switch to count each dropped layer, means connected to said second switch responsive to the counting of any predeter mined number of layers, constituting a particular load, for actuating said load downwardly to a limiting position, and mechanical means responsive to the attainment of said limiting position for ejecting said load.

5. A cigar accumulator having a first electrical counting switch responsive to the reception of cigars incoming thereto to form a layer having a predetermined number of cigars therein, a pair of opposed spaced apart elongated angle iron cigar supporting elements in said accumulator, means in said accumulator for conveying cigars, in a direction normal to their longitudinal axes, onto said elements so that the opposed ends of said cigars are supported on said opposed elements, other means connected to said switch, responsive to the counting of a predetermined number of cigars, required to form an individual layer, for rotating said elements through a limited arc to widen the spacing therebetween and drop the layer formed thereon into storage space in said accumulator, other switch means responsive to said rotation for actuating a motor, to move said layer downwardly in said storage space, and sensing means responsive to the lowering of said layer for continuing said lowering, until the topmost surface of any cigar therein has been lowered to a predetermined horizontal place to prevent the mutilation of cigars.

6. A cigar accumulator having a first switch actuable by each cigar incoming thereto, a first counting switch, responsive to said first switch, for controlling the formation of a predetermined number of cigars into an individual layer in said-accumulator, a solenoid responsive to said first counting switch for initiating the lowering of each of a plurality of said layers into storage space in said accumulator, a second switch responsive to said initiation of said lowering for controlling said lowering of each accumulated layer in 'said accumulator, a senser mechanism for sensing said lowering, a third switch responsive to said senser mechanism for stopping said lowering when the top of said layer reaches a predetermined level, said accumulator having a second counting switch responsive to said first counting switch, for counting a predetermined number of layers to constitute a load.

7. A cigar accumulator, in accordance with claim 6, said accumulator having means connectable to said second counting switch for varying the number of layers to constitute a load.

8. A cigar accumulator in accordance with claim 6,

16 having a limiting lower position for a load, and means responsive to the counting of any said predetermined number of layers by said second counting switch for further lowering said load to said position for ejection.

9. A cigar accumulator in accordance with claim 6, having a limiting lower position for said load, a load ejector, means connectable to said second counting switch, responsive to the countingrof any predetermined number of layers, for lowering said load to said limiting position and mechanical means, responsive to the attainment of said limiting position, for ejecting said load.

10. A cigar accumulator in accordance with claim 6, having means for supporting a plurality of layers, said accumulator having a limiting lower position for said supporting means, a load ejector, means connectable to said second switch, responsive to the counting of any predetermined number of layers, for lowering said supporting means to said limiting position, a limiting position switch actuable when said supporting means reaches said limiting position for stopping further lowering, mechanical ejector means, responsive to the attainment of said limiting position for ejecting said load, and an elevator controlling switch responsive to the restoration of said ejector mechanism to its normal unoperated position for controlling the raising of said supporting means to its uppermost position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,703,182 3/1955 Broberg et al. 214-6 2,765,599 10/1956 Johnson 2146 2,901,128 8/1959 Barski-"m 214-6 2,946,465 7/1960 Raynor 214-6 2,947,405 8/1960 Fenton 214-6 3,059,787 10/1962 Forsyth 214-6 3,089,297 5/1963 Craig et al. 53164 HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

MORRIS TEMIN, Examiner. 

1. A CIGAR ACCUMULATOR HAVING A RECEIVING PLATFORM THEREIN, MEANS IN SAID ACCUMULATOR FOR ACCUMULATING A LAYER OF CIGARS, SAID LAYER CONSISTING OF A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF SAID CIGARS, MEANS FOR COUNTING SAID CIGARS AS THEY ARE ACCUMULATED IN SAID LAYER, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE COUNTING OF SAID PREDETERMINED NUMBER FOR DEPOSITING SAID LAYER ON SAID PLATFORM AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID DEPOSITING FOR INDEXING SAID PLATFORM DOWNWARDLY THROUGH ANY DISTANCE NECESSARY TO ACCOMMODATE ANY CIGAR PROJECTING ABOVE SAID LAYER. 